(1) Today we live in a world that has little love for God's law or commands. Most people prefer that their lives not be interfered with by submission to the Supreme Being, or, they wish to make up their own rules for their submission to him. The scriptures do describe the vast majority today: "He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh." (Proverbs 17:15) Strictly speaking, no man can justify another, i.e., to make or truthfully pronounce him conformable to God's law. Yet it is quite a common thing for men to pronounce that right which is wrong, and thus they attempt to justify evil and as well as those who practice what is evil. And the same disposition which leads them to do this, leads them also to condemn the just. Because they prefer evil, they deceive themselves and others into the idea that wrong is right and right is wrong. This is an abomination to Yahweh. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20, WEB) Unfortunately, because of the inherent weaknesses due to the fall, and the lack of enlightenment, the generality of men are unconscious of the predominance of sin in the world; and they are prone to turn things upside down, and call evil good, and good evil, often not knowing the difference. This is greatly true in the last days, as people do not wish to be held accountable to God's laws or decrees. The vogue today is that one's opinions determines moral right and wrong, not the Supreme Being. (2 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Peter 3:3,4) How sad this is, but thankfully, God has promised that things will not always be this way. -- Isaiah 2:2-4.

(2) Since it is Yahweh who made us, and not we ourselves, we should give considerable consideration to the laws and principles by which he has shown that he wishes us to live. (Psalm 100:3) It is to our benefit that we do so. Paul indicates that the first law given to man was that which was written into the hearts of man, which we believe is based upon the two great commandments. (Romans 2:14,15; Matthew 22:37-40) Added to that which was written in his heart, Yahweh gave Adam and Eve a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Their disobedience to the divine law brought death, not only for themselves, but also for the whole human race. By contrast, Yahweh spoke concerning Abraham: "Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." (Genesis 26:5) Here Yahweh is evidently referring to the commands that had been earlier given to Abraham, as well as the test of Abraham's faithfulness by his willingness to offer Isaac. Abraham's obedience brought the promise that through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed, being the promised concerning the Good News. (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:8) Additionally, God counted Abraham as among the living, in view of his resurrection to perfection. (Luke 37:38; Hebrews 11:40) Yes, obedience to divine law is linked with divine blessings!

(3) The Psalmist said, "O how I love your law [the eternal Law of Love whose foundation is justice]! It is my meditation all day." (Psalm 119:97, New American Standard) Surely, if God's Law was the constant meditation of all, there would be fewer and less glaring problems and troubles in the world than we often see! Let us watch and be sober, that the Adversary and our fallen flesh may not gain an advantage over us as New Creatures. Let SELF be more and more eliminated and LOVE reign supreme. The language of love is well expressed in our dear Redeemer's words, "I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 10:9) Even Christ Jesus, highly exalted as he is, delights to acknowledge the headship of Yahweh -- "My Father is greater than I"; "I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me." (John 14:28; 6:38) In harmony with this thought of submission to the law of Yahweh, the prophet Isaiah represents Christ as the "Arm of Yahweh" (Isaiah 53:1; 59:16), and in obedience to Yahweh's will he was active, prompt and willing, even to the extent of death. Thus our Lord set us an example of true love in obedience to God's law and God's will. Yahweh is now seeking a people from amongst the world to become his sons, heirs to the Kingdom. (Galatians 3:26,29) Such, after the manner of Abraham and in the spirit of their Lord, delight to do God's will, they delight themselves in righteousness, they seek to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. -- Romans 8:4.

(4) Yahweh is the ultimate lawgiver. (Isaiah 33:22) It is a truth that since he has made us, he is the one who knows how we should live. The laws that control the physical universe so constant that men do take note of them in their plans of for everyday life. For instance, we make plans for tomorrow, next week, and even for years, based upon the physical laws that Yahweh made. (Job 38:4-38; 39:1-12; Psalm 104:5-19) Man usually realizes it is to his benefit to subject himself to the laws of God that govern the physical universe; yet the same principle applies also the God's laws and commands respecting our heart attitudes and conduct toward our Creator and our fellow man.

(5) There is a philosophy in the growth and development of Christian character, just as truly as in the growth and development of vegetation; and the more thoroughly we acquaint ourselves with the natural processes and conditions of development and growth in either case, the better we will understand how to cultivate and to secure the desirable end -- maturity and luxuriant fruitfulness. The farmer who puts into practice only what he has learned by accident, and that in a haphazard way, and only goaded to effort by sheer necessity, cannot expect the fruitful fields, abundant harvests and well-earned approbation of the enterprising, thrifty farmer who has made a study of the business and brought knowledge, carefully gleaned, together with enterprise and energy to his assistance in the work.

(6) Take for example a tree. If you know nothing about its cultivation, do not realize the necessity for it, and simply plant it and let it alone, its strength, instead of producing fruit, will generally go to making wood and leaves; worms and decay may attack its roots, insects may sting and blight its scanty fruitage; and if it continues to stand, it will only be a useless, fruitless cumberer of the ground, an advertisement of the farmer's negligence, and worthy only of having the ax laid to its root. Had it been pruned and trimmed, and kept free from insects, etc., under the blessing of God's air and rain and sunshine, it would have been a fruitful, creditable tree; for the laws of nature are true and faithful in all their operations.-- Jeremiah 33:20,21.

(7) And none the less true are the operations of moral law in the growth and development of moral character. Under proper conditions and with proper diligent cultivation, the character will grow and develop, in accordance with fixed laws, and will become beautiful and fruitful in blessings to self and others; or, lacking the necessary cultivation, even under favorable natural conditions, it will be deformed, worthless and fruitless.

(8) The Apostle tells us that 'death reigned from Adam to Moses" (Romans 5:14), a period of over 2,500 years. Then an opportunity to escape death was granted to the people of Israel, the descendants of Jacob. God gave them the Law through Moses, and intimated that those who did the things of the Law would live in them. The people of Israel thought it an easy matter to observe the things of the Law and readily promised to do them, but they very quickly realized how powerless they were to observe this Law of God. For the Law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Romans 7:12), while they were sinful, born under condemnation to death. They found that they could not keep that perfect law of God inviolate. Thus the commandment which was ordained to life was found to be unto death (Romans 7:10). None could pass the perfect requirements of the Law and gain life.

(9) But Jesus came and matters have now changed. Christ Jesus made us free from that Law under which Israel was placed, and gave us another instead, saying, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another" (John 13:34) This law of LOVE under which we are placed, contains the spirit of the Law to Israel -- the Ten Commandments, and even more. This, the Apostle James terms the "royal law." (James 2:8) And the same apostle who wrote that we are "discharged from the law," (Roman 7:6), and called it "Moses' Law," (Hebrew 10:28), and that "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes," (Roman 10:4), and that now "we are not under [the] law," (Romans 6:15), said also that he was not without law to God, BUT UNDER THE LAW to Christ, (1 Corinthians 9:21) [i.e., our responsibility is transferred from the Father to our Lord Jesus who bought us, hence we are no longer under Yahweh's Law given at Sinai, but under a new law or arrangement -- "under Law TO CHRIST." Yet, since Christ is Yahweh's agent in making the new arrangement, and since his law is in harmony with and built on our Father's law, as a temporary help for us, until we are restored to perfection; therefore, we may say with Paul, that we are not without law to God, even though "the Father {does not} judge any man, but he has given all judgment to the Son." (John 5:22)]

(10) God's severity consists in his insistence upon absolute righteousness; his refusal to approve sin in any sense or degree. A Christian is held at a higher standard than the world, yet the commands given to Christians in the NT often do reflect the God's standard for everyone in general. For instance, 1 Corinthians 6:9,10, is addressed to the church, the sons of God, the heirs to the kingdom that will bless all the families of the earth. Yet the principles reflected there still reflects kinds of behavior that God disapproves of: "Do not be led in the wrong way! Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who are soft [lacking in courage; Strong's #3120], nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor those who are greedy, nor drunkards, nor those who speak abusively, nor extortioners, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God." (Italics added for emphasis -- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, RL Revised Rendering) Yet today even in lower grade schools homosexual behavior is taught as acceptable "alternative lifestyle". Adultery and fornication is spoken of as "pre-marital sex", "love affairs", etc. It seems that people no longer wish to acknowledge sin for what it is. As these unjust things are examined individually they are all found to contain a weakness in favor of self at the expense of others; they all imply an injustice, a lack of love, to others for the pleasure or advantage of self. (See Reprints 3323:3)

(11) "Do not lie to one another." (Colossians 3:9) Lying today is often expected, so much so that if one speaks the truth he is often condemned while the liar is privileged. "Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters." (1 Peter 4:15, ASV) Amazing as it seems, today murderers are often set free to murder again; thievry, such a shoplifting, pilferage at the workplace, etc., is glossed over with excuses that "everyone is doing it"; "they will never miss it", etc. "But fornication and all uncleanness or unbridled lust [uncontrolled desires], let it not be even named among you, as it becomes saints; and filthiness and foolish talking, or jesting, which are not convenient; but rather thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:6,7, Darby) Today hypocrisy is rampant as some elements of sexual sin are blown out of proportion while porno [fornication] jokes and porno [fornication] situations flood the "prime time" of TV programs seen by children even before they are of school age. Obscene jesting certainly is to receive no encouragement, to provoke no laughter; but rather to call forth a gentle, loving rebuke. (See Reprints 4189:1) If we fill our minds with sexual porno jokes, foolish sayings, we shall not be able to fill them with the things of the holy Spirit. (See Reprints 5518:6)

(12) There is a power for good in the Word of God which can be found nowhere else. The growing worldly wisdom of today has much responsibility in connection with the growing lawlessness of the world. "The Law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul" -- transforming the being. The educators in all of our colleges and seminaries are doing a terribly destructive work, in comparison to which the work of Voltaire, Thomas Paine and Robert Ingersoll were as nothing. It is safe to say that the great majority of all the graduates of all colleges within the last thirty years have been unbelievers in the Bible, and that their influence has been used persistently to undermine the faith of others. The errors which led them to infidelity are being published abroad with an unrelenting missionary zeal so that the faith of others might also be destroyed. The Bible itself is a study, and only what it teaches should be believed whether favorable to or contrary to our former beliefs, or the popular beliefs of a society that desire to live apart from God's law. (See Reprints 4923)

(13) Many in the world are considerably swayed by the spirit of Satan -- anger, malice, hatred, envy, strife. When circumstances are favorable, these evil qualities are not brought into activity; but under other circumstances, no evil work is too vile, if it will minister to their selfish propensities. Thus today we see people not naturally bad, in they do not openly prefer evil to good, but they are deluded and without Divine guidance, and thus ready to do anything and everything, under stress of necessity, for the maintenance of the present evil order of things, claiming to make the world a better place to live in. Not knowing of God's Plan, and not having the Wisdom from on High, they are not waiting for Messiah's Kingdom, but are bent upon attaining their own ends, in harmony with their own theories.

(14) No parchment or tablet of stone can fairly represent the law of God. To be seen in its beauty and perfection, it must be viewed as engraven on the hearts of his intelligent creatures. The only clear and full illustrations we have yet had of it were Adam and Eve and our Lord Jesus. That Law written on the tablets of stone and given to Israel was a cruder manifestation of it to bring it down to the comprehension of fallen men. This law of love works no ill to a neighbor and no ingratitude or irreverence to God, but is holy and just and good. Let us study it as it is written in the character and in the teachings of our Lord, as expressed by his own mouth and by the mouth of his holy apostles and prophets. In it we may profitably meditate all the day; and the more we meditate upon it the more we will realize its perfection and grandeur and see that it is indeed what James declares it to be -- the perfect "law of liberty." -- James 1:25,27

(15) As we have seen, when it comes to guidance from Yahweh, even the Lord Jesus stated: "I am seeking, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me." (John 5:30; See also Matthew 26:39; John 4:34; 6:38; 18:11) Jesus was a sinless man. (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22) How much more so we, who have the sinful nature in our flesh, need to be submissive to the divine law of love, and commands given to us by Jesus and through the apostles. (John 13:17: 14:21; 15:14; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6) As Jeremiah tells us, it is not in the power of man to direct his own steps; all need to seek the divine guidance as how to walk. -- Jeremiah 10:23.

(16) It seems right to men to make pleasure in sensual enjoyments of various kinds the primary goal of their lives. They say, "Why live always doleful and in sorrow? We are going to live to enjoy our lives." So the way they take seems right to them, but they are all conscious of the fact they are dying, and that many of the ways they think are right and ways of pleasure are ways that lead down all the more quickly into sin, to corruption, to death. (Proverbs 12:15; 14:12; 16:25; 30:12; Matthew 7:13,14; Romans 6:21; Galatians 6:3; James 1:22) But now comes in Jesus and this new message of His respecting a different way, a way altogether different from the way of the world. And so those who become the Lord's followers have the message through Jesus, saying, "You are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world," and, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John 15:19; 17:14,16) These have left the worldly path. They are not walking with the world. As Jesus' disciples they are stiving to enter the narrow gate. (Matthew 7:13; Luke 13:24) They have turned aside from the world. And the Lord said there would be special blessings upon these who have turned aside, because the way he opened up is a day that leads to glory, honor and incorruption (Romans 2:7), to all the precious things God has to give to those who love Him most and whom He loves most.

ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14

(17) How beautiful in the sight of right thinking men is a well-balanced, self-possessed and disciplined character! And in contrast with such, how unlovely are the undisciplined and ungoverned -- the selfish, the unjust, the unkind and the violent-tempered! Naturally, the one awakens in us emotions of pleasure and admiration, and the other, of pain. And if such is the appreciation of virtue and the abhorrence of the lack of it among men who have lost much of the original image of God, with what a keen appreciation must they be observed by a pure and holy God!

(18) Men of the world who have no personal acquaintance with God have no special thought as to how they appear in His sight; but with what carefulness should those who love Him and who value His approval study to conform their conduct to His pure and holy mind! True, all who are "begotten again," notwithstanding their imperfections and shortcomings through inherited weaknesses, are acceptable to God through Christ, whose robe of righteousness amply covers them; but the measure of their acceptableness to God, even through Christ, is only to the extent that, while availing ourselves of His imputed righteousness, they are earnestly striving to attain actually to the standard of perfection. By so doing they manifest their real appreciation of the Divine favor.

(19) With what confusion and chagrin would one be covered who, in the midst of a fit of violent temper or an unjust or mean transaction, unworthy of his dignity or his profession, should be suddenly surprised by the appearance of a beloved friend of high and noble character! And yet, the eye of such a One is always upon us. Only to the extent that we dismiss this thought from our minds, or else that we undervalue Yahweh's opinion and approval, can we allow the evil propensities of the fallen nature to run riot.

"HOW CAN A YOUNG MAN KEEP HIS WAY PURE?"
Psalm 119:9

(20) Realizing the downward tendency of the old sinful nature, how constantly should the above prayer of the Psalmist be in the minds of God's consecrated children! But how, one inquires, may the difficult task of subduing the inherent depravity be accomplished? It is hard for one, particularly under exasperating circumstances, to control a hasty or violent temper, for another to bridle a gossiping tongue; and especially if the trials of life to some extent put their colored glasses on the eyes. And then what a host of inherent weaknesses there are, which every one of God's true children realizes and knows that he must strive against, if he would be acceptable with God! The thoughts of our hearts are not manifest to fellow-men until we express them in words or actions (Proverbs 44:21), and even then they are often misunderstood by those who hear our words, or see our actions; but even the very thoughts and intents of the heart are all open and manifest to God. (1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 17:10) What a comfort to the honest-hearted! -- Psalm 44:21; Philippians 4:7.

(21) The Psalmist repeats this inquiry, saying, "How can a young man keep his way pure?" and then replies, "By living according to your word." Then he frames for us this resolution: " I will meditate on your precepts, And consider your ways. I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word." (Psalm 119:9,15,16) Here is the secret of a pure and noble life, acceptable to God. It is to be attained, not merely by prayers and righteous resolutions, but, in addition to these, by careful painstaking heed, by systematic and diligent effort at self-cultivation, by care and perseverance in weeding out evil thoughts, and by diligent and constant cultivation of pure, benevolent and noble thoughts, and by nipping in the bud the weeds of perversity before they bring forth their hasty harvest of sinful words and deeds.

(22) But observe, further, that this heed or care is to be taken, not according to the imperfect standard of our own judgment, but according to God's Word. What we have received by way of endoctrination as a standard for right and wrong according by our community, our schools, or even our churches, may not meet God's standard. The standard by which we test our lives makes a vast difference in our conclusions.

(23) The Psalmist further commends this standard to us, saying: "The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul. [That is, if we take heed to our ways according to God's Law, it will turn us completely from the path of sin to the path of righteousness.] The testimony [the instruction] of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple [the meek, teachable ones -- clearly pointing out to them the ways of righteousness]. The precepts [statutes, decrees, ordinances] of Yahweh are right [the infallible rules of righteousness], rejoicing the heart [of those who seek to obey them]. The commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean [not a mental, servile fear, but a noble fear, begotten of love -- a fear of falling short of His righteous approval], enduring forever. The ordinances of Yahweh are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they [the Law and the testimony of Yahweh] than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb." -- Psalm 19:7-10.

"KEEP BACK YOUR SERVANT FROM PRESUMPTIOUS SINS"
Psalm 19:13

"Moreover by them is your servant warned [concerning the dangers of the way and the snares of the Adversary, and concerning everything which is calculated to discourage, or to hinder his growth in grace]. In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern [in the use merely of his own fallible judgment and without the standard of God's Law] his errors?" -- Psalm 19:11,12.

(24) The world generally measures right and wrong by standards of community, friends, etc. Thus their mind and conscience often approve of behavior that God does not approve. The Christian also may be weak in conscience, and thus may be led into approval of sin, and may commit what the Psalmist calls "hidden errors" or "secret faults." So when we measure ourselves by God's standard, we detect and deplore our shortcomings, let us remember the Psalmist's prayer: "Forgive me from hidden errors." -- thus supplementing our efforts by our prayers in areas that we may not yet be conscious of sin. -- Psalm 19:12.

(25) There is still another part of this prayer which Yahweh thus puts into our mouths. It reads: "Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright, I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression." Let us consider what kind of sins would be presumptuous sins. To presume signifies to take for granted without authority or proof. A presumptuous sin would, therefore, be taking for granted and asserting as truth something which God has not revealed, or the perversion of what he has revealed. It is, in effect, the desire to justify some sin rather than to repent and turn away from it. The excuses along this line are manifold, and we hear them every day, "Everyone is doing it.... Nobody is going to say anything if we do this.... God made me this way, so it can't be sin.... etc., etc.," and thus such pat each other on the back, and say, "It isn't all that wrong..., God is concerned about this, etc."

(26) The presumptious sin can be deceptive, if that it is practiced, can lead people into thinking that by it very commonality it is not really sin. Thus as one's thoughts and or habits are formed around acceptance of the sin, one's conscience is weakened in this area to commit that sin without any prick of conscience. This kind of sin is illustrated by Eve's temptation and sin. In the beginning both had strong consciences, and had no doubts as to what was right and wrong for them to do, having full confidence in their Creator. But their consciences were not crystalized in doing what is right, as can be seen by the temptation of Eve. The serpent -- Satan the Devil -- cunningly deceived Eve into thinking that (1) Yahweh, the One who created her, had lied to her. (2) That it was okay, even desirable to disobey Yahweh, and to obey another. (3) That the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was good and could make her wise. (4) That eating of the fruit would not cause her to die. She thought about these and finally presumed that it was okay to disobey God, and that to eat of the fruit would make her wise. Thus she disobeyed God and ate of the fruit, actually believing in her weakened conscience that this was the right -- good -- thing to do.

(27) After speaking of presumption sin, the Psalmist states: "Then I will be upright, I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression." He could be speaking here of the presumption sin itself as "great transgression", and this is what many Bible Students have assumed, and thus linked "the great transgression", as it appears in the King James Version, with the second death. The Hebrew word that is translated "great" [Rab, Strong's Hebrew #7227] here would probably have been better translated much, abundant." Thus, it appears that the Psalmist is referring to all that he spoken before, that by doing these things, then, he would be blameless and innocent of abundant, or overwhelming, transgression.

"BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE DELIGHT IS IN
THE LAW OF YAHWEH"

(28) "Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers; But his delight is in the law of Yahweh; On his law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3) If we make the Word of God the theme of our constant meditation, its principles will soon be assimilated and become part of our mental makeup, making our characters more beautiful and commendable both to God and to our fellowmen; and in harmony with this habit of the mind the acts of life will speak.

(29) The purified fountain will send forth sweeter waters than formerly, bearing refreshment and good cheer to all who come in contact with it. It will make happier homes -- better husbands, better wives and better children. It will sweeten the temper, soften the voice, dignify the language, cultivate the manners, ennoble the sentiments and lend its charming grace to every simple duty. It will bring in the principle of love and cast out the discordant elements of selfishness. Thus it will make the home the very garden-spot of earth, where every virtue and every grace will have ample room to expand and grow.

(30) It will not only thus favorably affect the individual and the home-life, but it will go out into the avenues of trade, and truth and fair-dealing will characterize all the business relations; and thus will God be honored by those who bear His name and wear the impress of His blessed Spirit.

(31) While the heights of perfection cannot be reached so long as we still have these imperfect bodies, there should be in every child of God very perceptible and continuous growth in grace, and each step gained should be considered but the stepping-stone to higher attainments. If there is no perceptible growth into the likeness of God, or if there is a backward tendency, or a listless standstill, there is cause for alarm.

(32) Let us constantly keep before our eyes the model which the Lord Jesus set for our example -- that model of the complete fullfillment of the will of God, in which the whole Law was kept unerringly. Let us follow His steps of righteousness and self-sacrifice as nearly as a full measure of loving zeal and faithfulness and loyalty to God will enable us to do, and we shall have a blessed sense of the Divine approval now, and the glorious reward of Divine favor in due time.

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